Page 58 of Crease Collision

“I would not miss it for the world.”

He looks back the way we came. “My condo is up there. I should get going.”

“My apartment is only a few blocks that way,” I say, pointing in the other direction. “So I will walk you home.”

“Oskar, let’s not⁠—”

“I will only go as far as your sidewalk, but it would be rude to let the man I am working things out with walk home alone. Not being rude is important to Swedes.”

He nods in the direction he has to go. “Come on, then. Never let it be said I made a Swede feel rude.”

It is a short walk, and we joke the whole way there. I keep my word and stop on the sidewalk outside his building.

“Thanks for meeting me, Oskar. I’m excited about what might happen, but I’m still scared. So you know.”

“I will be patient with that. As long as you do not run.”

“I won’t. Cross my throat.”

Now I cannot resist kissing him. I keep it short, more a touch of lips, but it feels incredibly good.

This could still go wrong, but thinking about that will not help either of us.

He trails a finger down my arm. “Thank you. That was nice.”

“Mm. I thought so too. I’ll be in touch tonight.”

I turn to leave, and after I take a few steps, he calls out, “Can’t wait.”

Looking back, I channel one of my teammates. “Later, dude.”

His laugh is beautiful background music as I walk away.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

KAI

I check my phone before I’m fully awake, hoping I didn’t miss something from Oskar. There’s only a message from Nico warning me not to be late to practice tomorrow, along with spam telling me the warranty on my boat has expired. Interesting, since I don’t own a boat.

The clock says 8:42 p.m., and the last thing I remember is that it was about four. Oskar said he’d be in touch, but he hasn’t been yet. I hope that doesn’t mean he’s changed his mind. Instead of dwelling on that, I force myself off the couch and look for food.

After eating the last burrito of a batch I made last week before our road trip, I work on my LEGO for a while. It’s an eleven-thousand-piece space battle, and I’m enjoying the challenge. I don’t have as much time for LEGO during the season, but with any luck, I should finish this one by early November.

I can’t stop thinking about today. Lunch had me shaking all over, but the outdoor air settled us both enough to do things I’m not great at—face an issue, make a decision, and move forward. Choosing Oskar over what scares me is terrifying, but it also feels brave. If we don’t try, we’ll never know.

Later, after watching a TV show I like, I glance at the clock. Ten-twenty. My pulse kicks up when I can’t find my phone.

In the kitchen. By the fridge.

What an ass.

At least there’s nothing from Oskar.

But goddammit, there’s nothing from Oskar.

I double-check that the ringer’s on, pocket my phone, and go take a leak. On the way back, I stop by the living room window that looks over the river, and…

Fuck, should I send him a message?